A while back I posted to the effect that scientists who become
popularizers become largely UNpopular with other scientists, who tend
to look down upon such sharing of secret knowledge with the unwashed
masses.
Had a chance earlier today to put that Q to Steve Gould--and while he
did not go so far as to say this doesn't happen today, he did state
that the situation is nothing like it was 30 years ago, and has
vastly improved since that time--though he does allow that the most
accurate perspective might be gleaned from someone younger and
without tenure, as tenure pretty much means he's free to do as he
pleases regardless of colleague reaction.
As to the scientific community and its members, he opines that, of
course, scientists can be as closed-minded and intransigent as anyone
else. He did not, alas, use the phrase "pig-headed."
jm
John Marlow
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